Theatre and Drama in Francophone Africa A Critical Introduction [Hardcover]

This study is entirely devoted to African literary drama in French, a major component of African theatre.This study is entirely devoted to African literary drama in French, a major component of African theatre. Beginning with a detailed analysis of its relationship to a variety of pre-colonial, but sometimes still contemporary traditions of performance which constitute part of its roots, Conteh-Morgan examines this drama both in its literary and theatrical dimensions. All quotations from play texts are translated into English.This study is entirely devoted to African literary drama in French, a major component of African theatre. Beginning with a detailed analysis of its relationship to a variety of pre-colonial, but sometimes still contemporary traditions of performance which constitute part of its roots, Conteh-Morgan examines this drama both in its literary and theatrical dimensions. All quotations from play texts are translated into English.This is the first study to be entirely devoted to African literary drama in French, a major component of African theater. Beginning with a detailed analysis of its relationship to a variety of precolonial, but sometimes still contemporary, traditions of performance that constitute part of its roots, the author examines this drama in both its literary and theatrical dimensions. He discusses its development, themes and techniques up to and including contemporary theater. The book is divided into two sections: Part One offers a theoretical and historical background; Part Two analyzes key individual plays central to the repertoire, including two from the Caribbean. All quotations are translated into English.Acknowledgements; Intoduction; Part I. Theoretical and Historical Studies: 1. The traditional context of Francophone drama; 2. From oral performances to modern drama: on the growth and development of a genre; 3. Francophone drama: the thematic dimension; Part II. The Plays: 4. Aim? C?saire: La Trag?die du roi Christophe; Une Sls*